The Journey to VBS 2015 Begins!
Journey Off The Map™
Set out on a journey to uncharted territory where kids will encounter the unexpected waiting around every bend. Imagine discovering new plants, flowers, or trees and seeing amazing scenery from brand new vantage points. What excitement! Sounds beautiful, right?
In 2015 God has led us to take our content outline a little “off the map.” We jump in with both feet on Day 1 by introducing Jesus as our ultimate Guide and sharing how to have a personal relationship with Him. On Days 2–4 kids will explore stories from the Book of Daniel. These Bible stories show how Daniel and his friends followed God as their Guide. Kids can discover from these examples how to follow Jesus as their Guide. On Day 5 kids will learn that, even though the journey may be unknown to us, it is known to Him. The vision God gave Daniel and the promises Jesus made to His disciples give all of us hope for now and forever.
Just as Daniel and his friends stepped into uncharted territory and found that God still had a plan, kids can begin to understand that obedience to God does not always lead to the expected. The journey of a lifetime begins with an exciting relationship with Jesus that continues into eternity. Whenever faced with the unexpected, kids can know to listen for God’s command: “This is the way. Walk in it.”
Bible Content Point of the Week
God is faithful. When we trust Jesus as our Savior, he walks with us along the journey of becoming more like Him. God’s story of redemption includes the promise of eternity with Him. Our faithfulness to God is important to insure that the relationship grows as we journey with Him.
Day 1 Know Your Guide
Jesus’ birth was announced and angels declared that He is the Messiah. Jesus spent time teaching and healing people. He died for our sins, was buried, and on the third day He arose. Jesus is our ultimate Guide. (Galatians 4:4–5; Luke 2:8–11; Matthew 4:23–25; 1 Corinthians 15:3–5)
Day 2 Follow Your Guide
Daniel and his friends were among the Jewish captives chosen to serve in King Nebuchadnezzar’s palace. The food provided for the friends broke the laws God had given the Jewish people. Instead of breaking God’s laws, Daniel chose to follow his Guide and requested permission to be given vegetables and water instead. (Daniel 1)
Day 3 Trust Your Guide
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow and worship the statue that Nebuchadnezzar had built. As a result the three friends were thrown into a fiery furnace. They trusted God whether He chose to save them or allowed them to perish. God protected the three friends in the fire and they emerged unharmed. (Daniel 3)
Day 4 Stay On Track
Daniel consistently did what was right and kept his focus on God. Even when the king signed an edict that made it illegal to pray to anyone but the king, Daniel continued to pray openly to God. Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den for refusing to pray to the king. God closed the lions’ mouths and rescued Daniel from the lions. (Daniel 6)
Day 5 Keep Watching
Daniel received a vision of things to come. Jesus also told His disciples about things to come. God tells believers to keep watching for Jesus’ return and to obey His Word. (Daniel 10:7–12; 12:13; John 14:1–4; Revelation 22:7)
Up next: The Journey of a Lifetime
Who were the winners didn’t see it on the video or anywhere else?
The winners were: Jonathan Turner, Tracy Potts, Jennifer McDougald, Jasmine Abreu, and Kim LeClaire. It was posted in the contest box on the blog and on Facebook. Thanks!
Well, I didn’t guess the theme, but I had the adventure/travel part right. AND I got the Bible verse…Isaiah 30:21. That seemed the most obvious of all the clues. Not sure about the name, but I guess it’ll grow on me. Got awhile to get into it. The content sounds like fun anyway.
Looks like an exciting trip!!!!
Love the Bible Content and Theme for 2015. The reveal video made me think it was going to be a treasure hunt (Indiana Jones type) in pyramids. I think a theme based on Mayan Pyramids would be interesting.
Yeah!!!!! In the midst of Agency D3 preparation and getting the thrill of previewing next years VBS direction. Let me sit here for a moment and calm myself and rub the goose bumps away.
Thanks Lifeway!!
just finished vbs this year (which was great) and it would be nice if day 1 picture 1 coordinated with day 1 activities on the back instead of day 1 picture 1 then activities for day 5 on the back. It makes it difficult to divide lessons up and to me just makes sense to have everything coordinate on the same page for day 1 and so on.
I’m new to your website/ministry. -Just searching the web for VBS curriculum for 2015.
So the video on your website is for people to guess the VBS theme of 2015?? Originally, I thought it was a sample of the videos that were used in the VBS curriculum. I was concerned because it is a confusing video. Can you give me more insight?
On the other hand, I love the scripture and content of the Journey Off the Map curriculum. I’m hoping to purchase it for our VBS for 2015.
Hi Nicole! Yes, the video you saw was the “theme reveal” video for 2015. We’ll be posting additional content and sneak peaks of videos included in the VBS curriculum throughout the summer.
I looked at the preview video for VBS 2015. Our church’s VBS is for the youngest to the oldest member. Is there a kit for the youth, young adults and adults as well?
Yes, there is a kit for both students and adults!
Why on earth would you go from apologetics D3 to a theme that only BARELY touches on Jesus?!?!?!??! Daniel and his stories are important, but 60% of our attendees do not go to church ANYWHERE, we live in Pagan-Central (literally West Asheville 28806) and NEED the intelligence of WHO Jesus is, how much He loves us and yes, eventually obedience. But why would they obey someone they don’t know and don’t care to know??? We’re finally making connections with these kids (3rd generation non-church goers) and some of them come back once a year –despite lots of during the year contacts and 12 established churches on the same street– and we’re supposed to teach them Old Testament stuff without a strong Jesus connection? We’ve been “Lifeway all the way” but I can see a 2015 Group or ABS shift. 🙁
Hi Christine, thanks for your comments. Please take a look at the Biblical Content for 2015 found here: https://lifewayvbs.wpengine.com2015/about/biblical-content/children/. You’ll see that the content does more than barely touch on Jesus, in fact Jesus is the focus of each lesson. Some of each day’s Biblical Content is found in the Old Testament, but you will also see there that is a Christ Connection in each lesson. We think Journey Off the Map is a great follow up to Agency D3. Kids will again learn who Jesus is and they will learn to follow Him as their guide.
it was amazing at the end of the week we had fun day.
I am a the new director for VBS this year but not new to VBS. I noticed in the curriculum the ages stop at 6th grade. We have a large amount of middle and high school student who are invited and attend, where can i find the material for this age group?
Pam, Journey Off the Map is for the entire family. There is curriculum for every age – Babies through Adults. Look for Journey Off the Map Student Starter Kit.
Jerry
We are preparing to teach our Associational teams and I am teaching Adults. The instructions included in the Adult Teaching Module for state teams for Item 2 (page 4 of module) Uncharted Territory Book are impossible for us to figure out. Is there a corrected set of instructions that I missed because we had the flu and were unable to go to FT Worth? Are maybe we are all just missing something with this little book.
The simple version – fold along each dotted line to create creases. Now skip to Step 6: Crease the booklet so the title page is at the front of the book and
the Item 7 description is at the back. Tip: since the graphic for the booklet does not cover the entire page, I found it easier to cut the booklet graphic out before folding. Hope this helps.
Ideas for day 5 for preschool?
Is there any kind of contest or a place to show pictures from our VBS 2015? A co-worker ask me about this and I wasn’t sure. Our VBS was last week – a wonderful week – and thought if there was a place to show our pictures, it might encourage someone else this year or even next year.
Thanks and God Bless!!!
Wanda
Can you please tell me what version of the Bible the theme verse (Isaiah 30:21) came from? Thanks!
Holman Christian Standard Bible which is the primary version we use for VBS resources. Secondary is King James Version.
I am in the middle of directing my church’s VBS this year. This is my fourth year as the children’s pastor of the church and we ALWAYS use Lifeway’s VBS materials. I have nothing but great things to say about this year’s theme and lesson content. I have a church full of happy kids who are discovering who Jesus is and exactly how they can follow him on the Journey of a lifetime. Thank you to all who have been involved in the creation of this year’s VBS.. lives are changing!
Nicole
My church has VBS 2015 July 20 – July 24. I am looking forward to a fun time as I have been asked to teach crafts to the Preschoolers this year. I have been preparing for this since Palm Sunday and I’m SUPER EXCITED for next week. I am looking forward to teaching these youngsters everything about God’s word that I’m able to in the time that I have allotted to be with the children. I’ll have ages 3 to 6 and I know that some of them will have already attended VBS at other churches as I’ve experienced this in prior years, but it is still exciting for me. I generally work with the youth kids, but LOVE working with the preschoolers during VBS. I have been over the verses time and time again and YES, it does teach about Daniel and I know that we will have unchurched children here again this year, but it also teaches about God and Jesus.
Looking for a stater kit. Anyone know where I can get one?
Here you go: https://tinyurl.com/y9mphkbf